Late Thursday night, with 3/4 of the WMLP staff on hand, we fired up the RandoRaffler 2000, intent on discovering the winner of the Greatest WMLP Giveaway Ever. The magic number six was obtained and corresponded to the order of Faithful Reader Bryn O.!
Congratulations on your victory, Bryn! Enjoy your Gelatinous Cube and make sure to let us know how many people see it on your desk and ask, "What the hell is that!?"
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Free Giveaway!
I wanted to post this separately so that no one would miss it!
This issue your friendly, hardworking staff at WMLP is giving away a homemade Gelatinous Cube to one lucky winner. It's made of clear resin and features an unfortunate zombie struggling to escape its jiggly mass!
Simply purchase a copy of WMLP Issue #4 on or before February 28th, 2013 and you'll be entered to win. A random drawing will be made on March 7th to determine the lucky recipient. Good luck everyone!
Update: Whoa! Check out Bob's blog post showing off his process and handiwork. Wicket, mon!
This issue your friendly, hardworking staff at WMLP is giving away a homemade Gelatinous Cube to one lucky winner. It's made of clear resin and features an unfortunate zombie struggling to escape its jiggly mass!
Simply purchase a copy of WMLP Issue #4 on or before February 28th, 2013 and you'll be entered to win. A random drawing will be made on March 7th to determine the lucky recipient. Good luck everyone!
Update: Whoa! Check out Bob's blog post showing off his process and handiwork. Wicket, mon!
Issue No. 4!
Yay! Through much turmoil, shouting and cursing, I have wrested from my laptop's clutching electronic fingers yet another mind-exploding issue of Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols! This issue is full of fun stuff, supplied once again by the WMLP crew...John?, Bob Richens, myself, and our intrepid cover artist Dr. Brainus Manginus. We hope you enjoy this new offering.
Table o' Contents
Editorial
Alex Fotinakes
Monstrous Addendum
John? and Bob Richens
The City-State of Tal ‘Azure
John?
Beneath the Ruins, Level 4
Alex Fotinakes
LL Character Class: TheVestigier
John?
Objets d’Occult
The WMLP Staff
The Lord of the Things
Bob Richens
Cover Art: Dr. Brainus Mangenius,
Psy D.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Updated Shipping Prices
Hello Wizards, Mutants, and Laser Pistol-wielding desperadoes!
The ordering buttons for WMLP have been updated and reorganized to reflect accurate shipping costs internationally and for multiple issues.
When ordering, choose the drop down menu for your area--US, Canada, or Internacional--and then the number of issues you'd like to order. The last step, and a CRUCIAL one, is that you identify which issues you'd like. We hope this makes ordering both more economical and convenient!
Game on!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
It's coming...
It had been deathly quiet for a long time. In fact, as Steve inched his way
forward in the darkness, alert to even the gentlest whisper, he wondered if he
had even heard a noise at all. He
crept on, straining to distinguish any foreign sound from that made by his
cloth-wrapped feet along the dungeon corridor. He froze. Was
that the sand beneath his feet, or a manila envelope tearing open in the inky
blackness?
FLASH! A strobe
of burning light exploded in his face, blinding him almost instantly. Almost…for in that split-second he saw
a wild Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols Issue #3 lunging for his neck, then felt
the cold metal of its exposed staple binding bite into his jugular.
…
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Psychedelic Fantasies presents: Beneath the Ruins Module
A greatly expanded version of the first level of Kihago, the dungeon presented in Beneath the Ruins (Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols #1) is now available as a stand alone module from Geoffrey McKinney!
Widely known for his Weird Science Fantasy Horror setting, CARCOSA, Geoffrey's current project is a line of utilitarian modules designed to deliver high doses of weirdness to your campaign. Psychedelic Fantasies offers low-cost, highly-unique modules in a format compatible with all classic versions of the greatest fantasy RPG of all time. Check it out!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Issue #2 Update
The second issue of Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols! is off to the printers and we should be mailing the first copies out by Friday. This issue was a bit more of a challenge, as summer is not the ideal time for writing and layout in the life of this wizard. Having willingly entered into a powerful geas, most waking moments have been spent protecting a magical flying princess, rather than completing layout, etc. Nevertheless, it was great fun putting together this issue. We hope you enjoy it and find something rad for your game table!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Issue No 2!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The Wizard Speaketh...(stop lisping!)
WMLP #1 has been out for almost two months now, and the response has been much greater than we'd anticipated. Thank you to all who plunked down your cold, hard, copper pieces to pick up a copy. Creating WMLP #1 was a blast, even with the learning curve and growing pains (we have to make more copies?!), but it's been particularly nice to hear comments from the community, both
in the comment section on this blog and in the great reviews by
Sniderman on The Savage AfterWorld and Tim Shorts on Gothridge Manor. I even got some letters in the mail! Made of paper!
Despite the lack of posts around here, the Wizard and his motley companions have been hard at work on another issue of the fanzine of old school weirdness. This month we have a veritable eruption of coolness--two adventures, ready to drop into your campaign to the glee and horror of your players, optional old school character classes (Musketeers, oh snap!), a butt-kickin' cover by Dr. Mangenius, and more!
Additional updates shall be forthcoming, once the Wizard gets his butt in gear.
Cheers!
Despite the lack of posts around here, the Wizard and his motley companions have been hard at work on another issue of the fanzine of old school weirdness. This month we have a veritable eruption of coolness--two adventures, ready to drop into your campaign to the glee and horror of your players, optional old school character classes (Musketeers, oh snap!), a butt-kickin' cover by Dr. Mangenius, and more!
Additional updates shall be forthcoming, once the Wizard gets his butt in gear.
Cheers!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Introduction to Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols
[If you've already purchased your copy of WMLP #1, you'll recognize the text below as the introduction. I thought it might be a good idea to post it here, so that those who might miss the first issue (you know, if they come along in a year's time or something) will still have a vague idea of the philosophy behind what we're doing.]
When I was twelve I got a job working at the Cypress Swap Meet. It was, and is, a sprawling grid of booths and stalls hocking everything from auto floor mats to handtools to used clothing. The front half of it was occupied by your average commercial stalls, each with a particular theme. Well towards the back, however, was where things got really interesting. These were the cheap spots. The merchants in the back lot dealt in all manner of junk, obtained from abandoned storage units, estate sales, and most likely, a few rubbish bins. There was a constant turn over of every conceivable item—undergarments, double-knit polyester shirts, autographed photos of barely celebrities, etc. ad infinitum. Valuable items next to what was basically trash; Plato lying out under the sun next to Dianetics. It was disorganized and junky, but it was also where the magic happened. You always had a sense that if you just looked hard enough, you could find almost anything in that crazy mix.
It was in a stall in the back that I first encountered the comic reprints of the old pulp horror and fantasy stories. And after rummaging around in boxes week after week, finally came upon a strange game book emblazoned with a lady wizard and a warrior with a crazy helmet. I looked at it again and again, and finally bought it. I’d heard of D&D, of course—this was a bit after the fad stage—but I’d never played it. Something in the images, though, struck a chord deep within me and I read it over and over, struggling to understand the concepts. (Here is where the story gets sad, but don’t choke up over me, friend) I spent the next couple years dreaming about D&D, of strange monsters and dark chambers, and sneaky thieves stealing treasure. But I didn’t find anyone with whom to play. My younger cousin tried his best, but was too little really to get into it. My friends preferred video games and who knows what else. It was frustrating, but it led to a time of ferment that was very important. I owned only Mr. Moldvay’s basic book, nothing else. But the openness led me to feel that all could be included. Perhaps the environment in which I found D&D even helped to cement this vision, for among the piles of random used pots and pans, Atari cartridges and pulp sci-fi books, I dreamed of adventures where my hopelessly fragile footpad explored martian caves and befriended ninja turtles and Thundarr the Barbarian. My love of the random assortment solidified, because that was where the magic happened. Random disjointed elements integrated, becoming something new and cohesive, still dripping with weirdness as it crawled forth from its protoplasmic vat.
Eventually, I found others who knew D&D and played often, and I entered into some great friendships and played in many strange campaigns. Years passed, and again as an adult I discovered the joy of Mr. Moldvay’s edition of the greatest game ever made. I even found that a fantastic clone of it was available for free online, thanks to the generosity and labor of Dan Proctor (Labyrinth Lord!). New friends joined me around the table and again we explored twisted ruins inhabited by weirdness that was decades in the making.
Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols is a zine that belongs on a blanket at the back end of the Cypress Swap Meet, among the He-Man action figures and Snorks videos. It will be weird and quirky, mixed up and cross-genred, but with the help of my awesome contributors, I hope it will be a place for the magic to happen again.
Alex Fotinakes
Monday, May 14, 2012
WMLP #1 First Print Run Almost Sold Out!
We can happily report that the first print run of Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols #1 has almost sold out. Initial responses have been quite positive and we look forward to hearing more from those who picked up a copy. (In particular, if your character got mutilated, dismembered, run through, or otherwise dispatched in the eerie Underworld below Kihago, pleasepleaseplease tell me the story!)
Sniderman at The Savage Afterworld was kind enough to review our work here, providing excellent details about the contents for those of you who like to know a bit more about a product before tossing your hard-earned cash out into cyberspace. Many thanks, Sniderman!
Sniderman at The Savage Afterworld was kind enough to review our work here, providing excellent details about the contents for those of you who like to know a bit more about a product before tossing your hard-earned cash out into cyberspace. Many thanks, Sniderman!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols #1 Out Now!
Do you like mutants? How about wizards? Oh, really...laser pistols? Sweet! Have we got the zine for you! Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols is about to blast radioactive plasma straight through your brain! This exciting first issue offers:
- A new spellcasting character class, complete with unique spell lists and descriptions!
- The first level of the dreaded megadungeon Kihago!
- Old school pen and paper RPG trivia!
- The Web Walker, Carnivorous Yeast Puddle, Chitinous Monstrosity, and a slew of other fierce creatures from the deep!
- All compatible with Labyrinth Lord or your favorite Old School Fantasy RPG.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Issue #1 in Layout
Issue #1 of Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols is shaping up nicely! As I'm doing the layout for issue number one my excitement keeps growing. We have some really cool content that looks even better finalized than it did when we first spitballing. There's certainly a good deal of trial and error as I learn to modify layout and insert art, but the issue will be done before you know it. I'll be posting instructions on ordering a copy just as soon as I finish the issue.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Changes are coming.
I'm happy to announce that a new project is finally in the works. Wizards Mutants Laser Pistols, the fanzine, will be exploding into mailboxes in about one month's time.
Though I have had a lot of fun, I've found that my taste for blogging has diminished quite a bit. Information moves so quickly that its richness is lost and I find myself gorged on many ideas but unable to sit with them long enough to bear fruit. I think my processing speed is too slow to keep up with the blogosphere.
Zines, on the other hand, are quite slow. Meditatively so, in fact. And this is what I'm excited about: the chance to sit with ideas and develop them, and finally to create something concrete with them that I can keep, use, and enjoy. If you're interested, you can get a copy to keep, use, and hopefully enjoy as well.
So, more to come in the near future!
For those of you who are fans of the Lost Continent, new content will begin to appear in the zine. The old posts will continue to live here on the blog in their new apartment on the sidebar, "Lost Continent Archive."
Though I have had a lot of fun, I've found that my taste for blogging has diminished quite a bit. Information moves so quickly that its richness is lost and I find myself gorged on many ideas but unable to sit with them long enough to bear fruit. I think my processing speed is too slow to keep up with the blogosphere.
Zines, on the other hand, are quite slow. Meditatively so, in fact. And this is what I'm excited about: the chance to sit with ideas and develop them, and finally to create something concrete with them that I can keep, use, and enjoy. If you're interested, you can get a copy to keep, use, and hopefully enjoy as well.
So, more to come in the near future!
For those of you who are fans of the Lost Continent, new content will begin to appear in the zine. The old posts will continue to live here on the blog in their new apartment on the sidebar, "Lost Continent Archive."
Saturday, February 25, 2012
20 Quick Questions
...Edited for new helmet pic, as I discovered another 20 responder with the exact same Otus image--how gauche of me!
(Haven't posted in a while...must use crutch to get back into the game...)
I've been very interested to read the responses to Brendan's 20 quick questions, as houserules and rulings are always cool to hear about. So, here are my replies:
1. Ability scores generation method?
3d6, distribute as you will. However, it should be noted that I don't use negative modifiers from ability scores, only positives.
20. What about splitting the party?
(Haven't posted in a while...must use crutch to get back into the game...)
I've been very interested to read the responses to Brendan's 20 quick questions, as houserules and rulings are always cool to hear about. So, here are my replies:
1. Ability scores generation method?
3d6, distribute as you will. However, it should be noted that I don't use negative modifiers from ability scores, only positives.
2. How are death and dying handled?
PCs die when they reach below their level in negative HP (e.g. a 4th level fighter dies when he gets to -5 HP). Wounds can be bound after a battle (+d3 HP).
3. What about raising the dead?
Getting someone resurrected is such a monumental pain in the butt that it either becomes a great story in and of itself, or the player decides to just roll up a new character and save himself the trouble.
4. How are replacement PCs handled?
I let them play one of the NPCs or roll up a character 1-2 levels lower than the lowest PC.
5. Initiative: individual, group, or something else?
Group initiative with d6. We have two huge rubber foam d6's, one neon orange, the other neon pink. I love doing the roll off to see who goes first!
6. Are there critical hits and fumbles? How do they work?
Natty 20 gets double damage rolled or full damage, choose before you roll. Nat 1 means you lost your weapon and need to spend a round retrieving it. I should really make up a table of worse things for the critical fumble (stab friend in butt, anger the god of war with your incompetence, etc.).
7. Do I get any benefits for wearing a helmet?
You probably look cooler, especially if it's some sweet Otus helmet.
8. Can I hurt my friends if I fire into melee or do something similarly silly?
Hells yes! Though I will usually warn the shooter ahead of time that the shot looks like it might be dangerous.
9. Will we need to run from some encounters?
Only if you want to live...
10. Level-draining monsters: yes or no?
Yes, but only occasionally.
11. Are there going to be cases where a failed save results in PC death?
Yes, but again, only occasionally. Most often death occurs due to failing to run, not checking for traps, deciding that this NPC is too big for his britches, etc.
12. How strictly are encumbrance & resources tracked?
Not strictly at all. I find it tedious, so I just cut them off at a certain point.
13. What's required when my PC gains a level? Training? Do I get new spells automatically? Can it happen in the middle of an adventure, or do I have to wait for down time?
You must wait for down time, but don't need to do any training. Spells don't come naturally and are not usually shared. They are one of the main forms of treasure, actually.
14. What do I get experience for?
Killing, looting, playing your character even if it might get him killed, accomplishing something difficult that didn't involve getting loot or killing, whatever else I feel like giving xp for.
15. How are traps located? Description, dice rolling, or some combination?
Combo! You have to describe what you're doing and then I roll, with bonuses or negatives depending on how plausible your description sounds.
16. Are retainers encouraged and how does morale work?
Not encouraged, necessarily, but my players know their way around a meatshield. Morale is only used in battle, but is highly dependent on treatment. Meatshields and retainers will often negotiate on the spot for more cash or rewards when they're asked to do something very dangerous.
17. How do I identify magic items?
Use it or take it to a shaman, cleric, witch doctor, elder, et al.
18. Can I buy magic items? Oh, come on: how about just potions?
Maybe a potion, but it won't be a regular healing potion, it'll have side effects like making your hair fall out or bony protrusions grow out of your back.
19. Can I create magic items? When and how?
No one's ever tried to create a magic item, so I don't know. I use Holmes' rule for Magic-Users making scrolls.
My players never split up, but they could if they wanted. Go ahead. Try it. :)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Black Pharaoh Foiled! Our First Labyrinth Lord Campaign Concluded
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Sunday, December 18, 2011
Dee-Deedly-DEEEEE!!! Fight On! #13 Magazine is OUT!
The newest issue of the freshest old-school rpg mag is available on Lulu. Behold, below, the Table of Radness/Contents:
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Monday, November 21, 2011
Portal in the back of the Trolls' water closet?
This is where it takes you:
Props to whomever created this image. It's the bomb. (Or after the bomb, tee hee.)
Props to whomever created this image. It's the bomb. (Or after the bomb, tee hee.)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Rules Cyclopedia and OD&D
Here is a very interesting quote I discovered from Dave Arneson. In his opinion, it appears, Rules Cyclopedia "Mentzer" D&D still qualifies as "OD&D". Though I realize there are many legitimate differences, and each player or DM has his own reason for making distinctions, recent play of B/X and AD&D 1e support Dave's grouping. I find that, at least according to the aspects I'm interested in, B/X, Mentzer, Holmes, and OD&D feel almost the same. AD&D, on the other hand, has a distinctly different feel.
Here's the quote:
Here's the quote:
 | Re: If you could own only one game, what would it « Result #8 on Mar 2, 2009, 9:02pm » | |
D&D Rules Cyclopedia. I has almost everything set down for an OD&D game. Harold Johnson is to be highly praised as the one responsible. Dave Arneson "Dark Lord of Game Design" Linky | ||
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Mileage.
One of the PC's in my Lost Continent campaign owns a hawk whose name is Mahawkma Gandhi. We have gotten more fun mileage out of that fact than out of some of the dungeons I've created. D&D is awesome. That is all.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Dungeon Master Impartiality - Players, please read!
I'm really glad somebody else explained this: DM Impartiality.
[...trying really hard not to write a bunch of ideas here that would just muddy the waters...]
Excellent post, Al.
[...trying really hard not to write a bunch of ideas here that would just muddy the waters...]
Excellent post, Al.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Holmes Reviewing Moldvay D&D
Just in case you're interested and didn't see it, this is an awesome post of Dr. Holmes' (of the Holmes edition of D&D) review of the "new" Basic D&D set edited by Tom Moldvay. B/X is still my favorite iteration of the game and it's fascinating to hear a predecessor discuss the changes that distinguish it. If you love B/X, or just classic D&D in general, check it out.
Holmes Discusses B/X
Holmes Discusses B/X
Oh Snap! It's the new Fight On! Magazine #12
Yes. It is here, and it's got the science with the fantasy. The following is copied straight from Calithena's post because it's kinda late and I'm pretty buzzed:
Mutants! Androids! Robots! Pure Strain Humans! Fight On! is back, with another 88 pages of gut-wrenching, laser-pulsing, fist-pounding action! Rules variants, tables, adventures large and small, science fiction and fantasy, races, classes, monsters, spells, magic items, NPCs, history, opinion, and lore can be found herein! Featuring art and articles by Mark Allen, Ian Baggley, Lee Barber, Erin "Taichara" Bisson, Daniel Boggs, David Bowman, Simon Bull, David Coleman, Fat Cotton, Michael Curtis, Liz Danforth, Ndege Diamond, Ron Edwards, Kelvin Green, Tim Kask, John Larrey, John Laviolette, Lester, Gabor Lux, Heron Prior, Jeff Rients, Chris Robert, Zak S., Alex Schroeder, Jason Sholtis, Tim "Sniderman" Snider, Jennifer Weigel, and this issue's dedicatee James M. Ward, alongside many others! If want to take your FRP experience to the next level, don't delay - buy this issue and Fight On!
The print version is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/16258333
and the PDF is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/16258563
To encourage you to check us out, we have put two other products on SALE along with the release of Issue 12. These prices won’t last forever! The Fight On! Compiled Compilation +4, combining our first four fabulous issues under one cover, can currently be purchased for $19.99; and Roll the Bones, our well-reviewed collection of fantastic fiction, is available for just $14.99. We’d be honored if you checked one or both out!
The compilation is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/15712103
and Roll the Bones is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/14939306
If you buy by the end of the day TOMORROW (July 15), you can save even more on all of these – lulu is offering a site-wide discount of 20% off everything with the coupon BIG (BIG305AU, BIG305UK for some foreign readers), making this one of the best times to check us out for the first time or check back in if you’ve missed a few issues! While you’re at it, check out some other lulu gaming products – there is a ton of good stuff on there from all kinds of producers.
Thanks for your interest, and whether you pick up an issue or not, keep fighting on!
Table of Contents
Champions of ZED (Daniel Boggs) 3
Fast Company II – Nonhumans (Schroeder & Shieh) 11
It’s All in the Cards (Michael Curtis) 12
The Tomb of Kaman-Doh Rey’d (David Coleman) 17
The Apen (Andrew “The Venomous Pao” Trent) 20
Geologians (Tim “Sniderman” Snider) 22
The Witch Doctor (Scott Moberly) 24
Knights & Knaves (Barber, Green, Rients, & Cal) 25
Grognard’s Grimoire (Erin “Taichara” Bisson) 27
The City State of Dusal Dagodli (Gabor Lux) 28
The Darkness Beneath (Heron Prior & David Bowman) 32
Education of a Magic User (Douglas Cox) 44
Doxy, Urgent Care Cleric (J. Linneman & K. Green) 45
Sir Tendeth (Tim “Sniderman” Snider) 46
Creepies & Crawlies (T. Snider and Jeffrey P. Talanian) 60
Monstrous Ecology (Ron Edwards) 63
Random’s Assortment (Peter Jensen & Random) 64
Curses Gone Wild! (John Laviolette) 65
Artifacts, Adjuncts, & Oddments (Jason Sholtis) 67
Treasure Types (Simon Bull) 68
Dungeon Modules: The Rondo Rooms (Jeff Rients) 69
Pigdivot! (Chris Robert) 72
Where the Action Is (Zak S.) 80
Merlyn’s Mystical Mirror (Gabor Lux & Jo Kreil) 84
Notes from a Master (James M. Ward & Tim Kask) 86
Front cover by Mark Allen (marjasall.com). Back cover by Kevin Mayle. Fight On! logo by Jeff Rients. Jim Ward photos by John Sapienza, Jr. and Breck Ward. Interior art and cartography by Jason Sholtis (4,9,21,67), OSRCon (osrcon.ca: 6), Fat Cotton (7,80), karenswhimsy.com (10), Anthony Stiller (12,64), Black Blade Publishing (blackblade publishing.com: 13), Liz Danforth (15), Hudson Bell (16), David Coleman (17), Netherwerks (netherwerks.blogspot. com: 18,42), Lawrence Raymond (18), Ndege Diamond (19,33,40,47), Lester (22,60,61,86), Centers for Disease Control (24), Kelvin Green (25,45,65), Lee Barber (26,51, Creepies & Crawlies logo, Knights & Knaves logo), Alex Schroeder (27,34), Gabor Lux (28,29,30), Antonio Sant’ Elia (31), Robert S. Conley (batintheattic.com: 32), Heron Prior (37,48,51,52,53,57), Bronze Age Miniatures (bronze agemin.com: 41), Douglas Cox (44), Tim “Sniderman” Snider (46), DEI Games (deigames.com, 46), John Larrey (54,63), Ian Baggley (62), Jennifer Weigel (69,74,79), Matthew Howerter (70), Kevin Mayle (72), Greengoat (75), Peter Schmidt Jensen (83), Henchman Abuse (henchman abuse.blogspot.com: 84), and F. Douglas Wall Publishing (fdouglaswall.blogspot.com: 85).
Mutants! Androids! Robots! Pure Strain Humans! Fight On! is back, with another 88 pages of gut-wrenching, laser-pulsing, fist-pounding action! Rules variants, tables, adventures large and small, science fiction and fantasy, races, classes, monsters, spells, magic items, NPCs, history, opinion, and lore can be found herein! Featuring art and articles by Mark Allen, Ian Baggley, Lee Barber, Erin "Taichara" Bisson, Daniel Boggs, David Bowman, Simon Bull, David Coleman, Fat Cotton, Michael Curtis, Liz Danforth, Ndege Diamond, Ron Edwards, Kelvin Green, Tim Kask, John Larrey, John Laviolette, Lester, Gabor Lux, Heron Prior, Jeff Rients, Chris Robert, Zak S., Alex Schroeder, Jason Sholtis, Tim "Sniderman" Snider, Jennifer Weigel, and this issue's dedicatee James M. Ward, alongside many others! If want to take your FRP experience to the next level, don't delay - buy this issue and Fight On!
The print version is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/16258333
and the PDF is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/16258563
To encourage you to check us out, we have put two other products on SALE along with the release of Issue 12. These prices won’t last forever! The Fight On! Compiled Compilation +4, combining our first four fabulous issues under one cover, can currently be purchased for $19.99; and Roll the Bones, our well-reviewed collection of fantastic fiction, is available for just $14.99. We’d be honored if you checked one or both out!
The compilation is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/15712103
and Roll the Bones is available here: http://www.lulu.com/product/14939306
If you buy by the end of the day TOMORROW (July 15), you can save even more on all of these – lulu is offering a site-wide discount of 20% off everything with the coupon BIG (BIG305AU, BIG305UK for some foreign readers), making this one of the best times to check us out for the first time or check back in if you’ve missed a few issues! While you’re at it, check out some other lulu gaming products – there is a ton of good stuff on there from all kinds of producers.
Thanks for your interest, and whether you pick up an issue or not, keep fighting on!
Table of Contents
Champions of ZED (Daniel Boggs) 3
Fast Company II – Nonhumans (Schroeder & Shieh) 11
It’s All in the Cards (Michael Curtis) 12
The Tomb of Kaman-Doh Rey’d (David Coleman) 17
The Apen (Andrew “The Venomous Pao” Trent) 20
Geologians (Tim “Sniderman” Snider) 22
The Witch Doctor (Scott Moberly) 24
Knights & Knaves (Barber, Green, Rients, & Cal) 25
Grognard’s Grimoire (Erin “Taichara” Bisson) 27
The City State of Dusal Dagodli (Gabor Lux) 28
The Darkness Beneath (Heron Prior & David Bowman) 32
Education of a Magic User (Douglas Cox) 44
Doxy, Urgent Care Cleric (J. Linneman & K. Green) 45
Sir Tendeth (Tim “Sniderman” Snider) 46
Creepies & Crawlies (T. Snider and Jeffrey P. Talanian) 60
Monstrous Ecology (Ron Edwards) 63
Random’s Assortment (Peter Jensen & Random) 64
Curses Gone Wild! (John Laviolette) 65
Artifacts, Adjuncts, & Oddments (Jason Sholtis) 67
Treasure Types (Simon Bull) 68
Dungeon Modules: The Rondo Rooms (Jeff Rients) 69
Pigdivot! (Chris Robert) 72
Where the Action Is (Zak S.) 80
Merlyn’s Mystical Mirror (Gabor Lux & Jo Kreil) 84
Notes from a Master (James M. Ward & Tim Kask) 86
Front cover by Mark Allen (marjasall.com). Back cover by Kevin Mayle. Fight On! logo by Jeff Rients. Jim Ward photos by John Sapienza, Jr. and Breck Ward. Interior art and cartography by Jason Sholtis (4,9,21,67), OSRCon (osrcon.ca: 6), Fat Cotton (7,80), karenswhimsy.com (10), Anthony Stiller (12,64), Black Blade Publishing (blackblade publishing.com: 13), Liz Danforth (15), Hudson Bell (16), David Coleman (17), Netherwerks (netherwerks.blogspot. com: 18,42), Lawrence Raymond (18), Ndege Diamond (19,33,40,47), Lester (22,60,61,86), Centers for Disease Control (24), Kelvin Green (25,45,65), Lee Barber (26,51, Creepies & Crawlies logo, Knights & Knaves logo), Alex Schroeder (27,34), Gabor Lux (28,29,30), Antonio Sant’ Elia (31), Robert S. Conley (batintheattic.com: 32), Heron Prior (37,48,51,52,53,57), Bronze Age Miniatures (bronze agemin.com: 41), Douglas Cox (44), Tim “Sniderman” Snider (46), DEI Games (deigames.com, 46), John Larrey (54,63), Ian Baggley (62), Jennifer Weigel (69,74,79), Matthew Howerter (70), Kevin Mayle (72), Greengoat (75), Peter Schmidt Jensen (83), Henchman Abuse (henchman abuse.blogspot.com: 84), and F. Douglas Wall Publishing (fdouglaswall.blogspot.com: 85).
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Xenoscript Transvisualizer
Found within the navigation suite of a spaceship lodged in a dungeon, the Xenoscript Transvisualizer is a piece of Pahreen technology that allows one to read alien text. To use the XT, one simply mounts it on the noggin, lowers the transvisualizer visor, and examines the text in question. A turn must be spent on examination, but no roll need be made to decipher the script, the sense simply transfers to the wearer's consciousness via invisible ideation rays (yeah, that's right).
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Lost Continent Session 33
(As of late, I've been waffling on whether to post write-ups of our Lost Continent sessions, knowing that I have never really done this before and most anyone reading it would be jumping in mid-story. Well...I decided to go for it anyway. Those who find them tedious can easily skip the posts, and it will serve its main purpose well: helping me and my players remember what happened when, and remain recollected when the details of the campaign proliferate.)
Session 33
Bellor Ruthenia, 5th level Moravian Shieldsman
Zoe of Zoe, 5th level Colonist Thief
Tune of Santa Monica, 6th level Stranger Sorcerer
Itchy of the Brotherhood of the Dawn, 7th level Colonist Cleric
Shaan Solo, 7th level Colonist Bounty Hunter
The party has been working out of Pentastadion for the past few months, adventuring professionally as "The Company of the Belching Dragon". They have taken on odd delving jobs outside of town and under Pentastadion itself, and have attracted the attention of one of the powerful Syndics. Her attendant, Rolando Blackman, recently negotiated with them, and they contracted to do a practice job: to explore and map a newly discovered underground complex accessible only through the cellar of a brewery in the warehouse district of Pentastadion.
The last session (32) found the Company venturing through the strange hidden door behind the brewery's mash tun again, descending a long stair and exploring what they would discover was the Den of the Thief Kings. They cautiously moved through several decrepit rooms until they entered a small gallery with portraits hung on all the walls. Two disparate figures stood on the far side of the room, stock still and unresponsive, staring at a large portrait of a human man. Upon inspection, the two figures turned out to be a scruffy barbarian type, with pale skin and scant clothing, and a tall, thin, erudite looking man in a robe. Both appeared alive and well, but completely still. Tune judged them frozen somehow, perhaps by gazing at the portrait, and had Bellor throw a cloak over the painting. They examined the rest of the room and found nothing, so as a last measure, Itchy called upon the power of Solus to banish any magical effect in the room. In a flash of action, both men came to life. The barbarian spun around and, seeing a sinister figure at his shoulder, stabbed the man in heart. A tense standoff ensued between barbarian and adventurers while the robed man's life quickly ebbed away. After attempts at communication proved futile, the party slowly backed out of the room and left the barbarian some space to leave safely.
More exploration of rooms followed, with the discovery of an empty lair and a shadowy altercation with foul humanoids resembling hyenas and covered with coarse bristling fur. Arrows, plasma blasts and arcane bolts of energy flew back and forth, and several hyena men were slain. The battle brought on fatigue, however, so the Company retired to a defensible room and locked themselves within for the night.
Session 33 began with the Company rising from a fitful rest in the small room. Shaan smelled the odor of oil, while Zoe could hear several figures moving in the hallway outside. Abandoning the better part of valor, Bellor threw open the door and Itchy charged into what he assumed was combat. He guessed right and was able to engage the last two of the hyena men before they escaped down the hallway. Itchy slew one, but the other shot a flaming arrow that brought fire licking all about the cleric's divine boots. Itchy ran to escape the burning oil and Shaan sniped the last of the bestial fiends with a powerful blast of his plasma rifle.
The Company paused to catch its breath, then continued to explore the rest of the Den. Among other things, they found a prop room used by an ancient thieves' guild. Costumes and wigs filled numerous chests and wardrobes, but the main attraction was a raised platform set before a mirrored triptych. A multitude of chains hung down with handles on them. Itchy was the first to ascend the platform and pull a chain, finding himself immediately 30 lbs. heavier! Disgusted but undaunted, he pulled again, and was rewarded with a Fu Manchu.
The Company moved on, encountering a shrine to Hermes wherein they gambled with the god, and other less exciting rooms. (I can't remember anything else, honestly).
When they finished mapping the floor, they ascended the stairs and were immediately intercepted by Rolando Blackman's henchmen, who directed them quickly through panic-stricken streets. Something was very amiss in the city by the sea. But that's where we leave our party...
[I've forgotten big chunks of these sessions, apparently, and must set about fixing that by writing notes soon after the next session.]
Next installment: Panic in Pentastadion!
Session 33
Bellor Ruthenia, 5th level Moravian Shieldsman
Zoe of Zoe, 5th level Colonist Thief
Tune of Santa Monica, 6th level Stranger Sorcerer
Itchy of the Brotherhood of the Dawn, 7th level Colonist Cleric
Shaan Solo, 7th level Colonist Bounty Hunter
The party has been working out of Pentastadion for the past few months, adventuring professionally as "The Company of the Belching Dragon". They have taken on odd delving jobs outside of town and under Pentastadion itself, and have attracted the attention of one of the powerful Syndics. Her attendant, Rolando Blackman, recently negotiated with them, and they contracted to do a practice job: to explore and map a newly discovered underground complex accessible only through the cellar of a brewery in the warehouse district of Pentastadion.
The last session (32) found the Company venturing through the strange hidden door behind the brewery's mash tun again, descending a long stair and exploring what they would discover was the Den of the Thief Kings. They cautiously moved through several decrepit rooms until they entered a small gallery with portraits hung on all the walls. Two disparate figures stood on the far side of the room, stock still and unresponsive, staring at a large portrait of a human man. Upon inspection, the two figures turned out to be a scruffy barbarian type, with pale skin and scant clothing, and a tall, thin, erudite looking man in a robe. Both appeared alive and well, but completely still. Tune judged them frozen somehow, perhaps by gazing at the portrait, and had Bellor throw a cloak over the painting. They examined the rest of the room and found nothing, so as a last measure, Itchy called upon the power of Solus to banish any magical effect in the room. In a flash of action, both men came to life. The barbarian spun around and, seeing a sinister figure at his shoulder, stabbed the man in heart. A tense standoff ensued between barbarian and adventurers while the robed man's life quickly ebbed away. After attempts at communication proved futile, the party slowly backed out of the room and left the barbarian some space to leave safely.
More exploration of rooms followed, with the discovery of an empty lair and a shadowy altercation with foul humanoids resembling hyenas and covered with coarse bristling fur. Arrows, plasma blasts and arcane bolts of energy flew back and forth, and several hyena men were slain. The battle brought on fatigue, however, so the Company retired to a defensible room and locked themselves within for the night.
Session 33 began with the Company rising from a fitful rest in the small room. Shaan smelled the odor of oil, while Zoe could hear several figures moving in the hallway outside. Abandoning the better part of valor, Bellor threw open the door and Itchy charged into what he assumed was combat. He guessed right and was able to engage the last two of the hyena men before they escaped down the hallway. Itchy slew one, but the other shot a flaming arrow that brought fire licking all about the cleric's divine boots. Itchy ran to escape the burning oil and Shaan sniped the last of the bestial fiends with a powerful blast of his plasma rifle.
The Company paused to catch its breath, then continued to explore the rest of the Den. Among other things, they found a prop room used by an ancient thieves' guild. Costumes and wigs filled numerous chests and wardrobes, but the main attraction was a raised platform set before a mirrored triptych. A multitude of chains hung down with handles on them. Itchy was the first to ascend the platform and pull a chain, finding himself immediately 30 lbs. heavier! Disgusted but undaunted, he pulled again, and was rewarded with a Fu Manchu.
The Company moved on, encountering a shrine to Hermes wherein they gambled with the god, and other less exciting rooms. (I can't remember anything else, honestly).
When they finished mapping the floor, they ascended the stairs and were immediately intercepted by Rolando Blackman's henchmen, who directed them quickly through panic-stricken streets. Something was very amiss in the city by the sea. But that's where we leave our party...
[I've forgotten big chunks of these sessions, apparently, and must set about fixing that by writing notes soon after the next session.]
Next installment: Panic in Pentastadion!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Something is weird on blogger...
The "Stats" section of my dashboard reports that I had 475 pageviews yesterday, and similarly high numbers for the past week or two. Now, while that would be kind of cool, it's just not realistic. I mean, very unrealistic. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Den of the Thief Kings: Prop Room
Last night we concluded an adventure where the party was tasked with mapping out a newly discovered complex below the city of Pentastadion. The entryway was through an iron door hidden in the cellar of an abandoned brewery. After descending a winding stairway, the party found itself exploring the Den of the Thief Kings.
Though not unusually creative in its design, one simple room turned out to be lots of fun (for both Labyrinth Lord and players, I think!):
Prop Room. A thick burgundy curtain covers the walls of this room, but more importantly it is filled with a multitude of wardrobes and chests. Each wardrobe and chest contains various costumes and clothing, jewelry and accessories, mostly of low quality but accurate appearance. They are ratty and moth-eaten, for the most part, and have no value. At the far end of the room is a large polished metal mirror in triptych, with a platform to stand on and a series of handles hanging by chains from above. If the handles are pulled while a character is standing on the platform, a random effect is generated:
The room was used several centuries ago by thieves on the lam. One quick stop in prop room gave them a disguise with an added twist: a permanent change of appearance.
One of the players tested it out and immediately gained 30 pounds. He then laughingly tried again--Fu Manchu facial hair! We determined also that one of the NPCs would be goading into trying it also. An already large warrior, Bellor Ruthenia instantly grew another 4 inches taller. Russian accented complaints about trying to [Yakov Smirnoff's voice]"fit into peasant bed already big hassle!" ensued.
Good times.
(By the way, there is a hilarious table of Random Facial Hair in one of the issues of Fight On!, written by Jeff Rients, I believe. I can't remember which, though. Anyway, this room would put it to excellent use.)
Though not unusually creative in its design, one simple room turned out to be lots of fun (for both Labyrinth Lord and players, I think!):
Prop Room. A thick burgundy curtain covers the walls of this room, but more importantly it is filled with a multitude of wardrobes and chests. Each wardrobe and chest contains various costumes and clothing, jewelry and accessories, mostly of low quality but accurate appearance. They are ratty and moth-eaten, for the most part, and have no value. At the far end of the room is a large polished metal mirror in triptych, with a platform to stand on and a series of handles hanging by chains from above. If the handles are pulled while a character is standing on the platform, a random effect is generated:
Roll d6 | Effect |
1 | Skin changes color. |
2 | Hair style changed. |
3 | Random facial hair. |
4 | Gains/loses d4 x 10 pounds. |
5 | Grows/Shrinks d6 inches. |
6 | Eyes change color. |
The room was used several centuries ago by thieves on the lam. One quick stop in prop room gave them a disguise with an added twist: a permanent change of appearance.
One of the players tested it out and immediately gained 30 pounds. He then laughingly tried again--Fu Manchu facial hair! We determined also that one of the NPCs would be goading into trying it also. An already large warrior, Bellor Ruthenia instantly grew another 4 inches taller. Russian accented complaints about trying to [Yakov Smirnoff's voice]"fit into peasant bed already big hassle!" ensued.
Good times.
(By the way, there is a hilarious table of Random Facial Hair in one of the issues of Fight On!, written by Jeff Rients, I believe. I can't remember which, though. Anyway, this room would put it to excellent use.)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Under Pentastadion
To Itchy and Tune,
Here's a little map I put together from what I knows and what my buddy Treddo's herd. I thot you guys could use the help and you've always been big tippers. Let me know if you guys ever wanna hear some more stories about all those twisty places under Pentastadion.
Thog
Here's a little map I put together from what I knows and what my buddy Treddo's herd. I thot you guys could use the help and you've always been big tippers. Let me know if you guys ever wanna hear some more stories about all those twisty places under Pentastadion.
Thog
(Thanks to Dyson for the map making lessons he's posted!)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Robotic Arm and Plexiglass Skull Flap
This is what I randomly rolled when one of the party's NPCs got "repaired" by the little tin men in a recent adventure. They roam the ancient halls of the underworld picking up and repairing discarded life forms (dead or dying people and monsters). As they are quite ingenious in their use of the scrap material at their disposal, they often provide extremely unique solutions for replacing the original "equipment". Often they will drug and pick up an adventurer trying to sleep off his injuries, only to place him back where they found him after they finish their work. Many a dungeon explorer has found himself thus: awakened as if out of a dream, possessing a slinky-like spring where his mangled foot used to be.
Tin Men
(No. 1-3; AC 6; HD 2; ATT 0; Dmg Nil; AL L.)
These 3' tall tin men are made of hollow pipes and have a hollow, cylindrical torso with a hinged door on the front. If opened, a small, visible wisp of green or blue mist moves rhythmically within. Of mysterious origins, they wander the halls of the underworld, seeking "broken" lifeforms to "fix." They will readily help any creature they encounter, regardless of alignment.
Random Repairs (d10)
1. Robotic Arm
2. Clear Fiberglass Breastplate (replaces skin; organs visible)
3. Rubber Tentacle-like Appendage
4. Subcutaneous Metal Plate
5. Wooden Hand (completely wired for movement)
6. Permanent Stone Helment
7. Plexiglass Skull Flap
8. Wooden (workable) Ear
9. Metal/Electronic Forearm that emits Heavy Metal Guitar sound effects once/hour
10. Kaleidascopic Glass Eyeball
(No. 1-3; AC 6; HD 2; ATT 0; Dmg Nil; AL L.)
These 3' tall tin men are made of hollow pipes and have a hollow, cylindrical torso with a hinged door on the front. If opened, a small, visible wisp of green or blue mist moves rhythmically within. Of mysterious origins, they wander the halls of the underworld, seeking "broken" lifeforms to "fix." They will readily help any creature they encounter, regardless of alignment.
Random Repairs (d10)
1. Robotic Arm
2. Clear Fiberglass Breastplate (replaces skin; organs visible)
3. Rubber Tentacle-like Appendage
4. Subcutaneous Metal Plate
5. Wooden Hand (completely wired for movement)
6. Permanent Stone Helment
7. Plexiglass Skull Flap
8. Wooden (workable) Ear
9. Metal/Electronic Forearm that emits Heavy Metal Guitar sound effects once/hour
10. Kaleidascopic Glass Eyeball
The Mysterious Laboratory of the Magi Xoth-ragar
This is coming soon. We played through it and had a blast, so I'm thinking of posting it up on the blog somehow (this will take some technological fumbling on my part). Anyone have advice on how to post something that 8 pages or so?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Fight On! #11 Available Now
Another issue of my favorite fanzine just came out: Fight On! #11. For those of you who haven't seen an issue yet, it always comes through with a tremendous amount of great inspiration. I read these issues over and over and frequently have a copy on the table while we game. Below the links is the table of contents for this issue.
You can buy the print version here:
http://www.lulu.com/product/15149828
and the PDF version here:
http://www.lulu.com/product/15150168
Table of Contents
Level Limits & Monstrous Protagonists (John Vogel) 3
Sylvan Elves (Scott Moberly) 4
Vampire: The Delve (Calithena) 5
Sword Priests of Humakt (Baz Blatt) 7
Ducks, Dragonewts, & Draala (Jason Vasché & Cal) 10
The Barbarian King (Gabor Lux) 14
Knights & Knaves (Kristen Lee Knapp) 25
Have Sword – Will Travel! (James A. Smith) 27
Scrolls Gone Wild! (John Laviolette) 28
Grognard’s Grimoire (Baz Blatt) 29
Tables for Fables (Age of Fable) 30
…and three more: (Jeff Rients) 32
Creepies & Crawlies (Erin “Taichara” Bisson) 34
Caverns of the Sea Hag (David Coleman) 37
Education of a Magic-User (Douglas Cox) 44
Doxy, Urgent Care Cleric (J. Linneman & K. Green) 45
Sir Tendeth (Tim “Sniderman” Snider) 46
Artifacts, Adjuncts, & Oddments (Erol Otus, Jason Sholtis, Jennifer Weigel, & John Hitchens) 52
Cavern Adventuring (Calithena) 54
Of Dungeons Dreaming (Sean Wills) 57
Twelve Free-Standing Tombs (Geoffrey O. Dale) 58
Pernicious Undercroft of Dark Matrimonies (L. Barber) 61
Handy Tables for Hexcrawling (Alexey Fotinakes) 63
On Fantasy Chronography (Del Beaudry) 67
Heroquests (Steve Marsh and Calithena) 70
The Darkness Beneath (Matthew Riedel) 72
Bust-up at the Moon and Parrot (Baz Blatt) 81
Doomquest (Scott LeMien) 86
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